Can't read it? Listen now!
Gunmen attacked the coastal town of Arcahaie, north of Haiti’s capital, early Thursday morning, setting homes ablaze and shooting at civilians, according to local reports. The attack comes just a week after a massacre in the nearby town of Pont-Sondé left over 115 people dead, further intensifying concerns about the spread of gang violence in the country.
Residents of Arcahaie, located roughly 30 kilometers from Port-au-Prince, called into local radio stations, pleading for help as gunfire erupted and flames consumed homes. They urged the Haitian National Police to intervene swiftly to prevent further loss of life.
Authorities confirmed the attack but did not immediately provide information on casualties. According to Lionel Lazarre, deputy spokesman for the Haitian National Police, officers were deployed to the area, and additional security measures were being implemented. “The police heard the people of Arcahaie shouting for help,” Lazarre said during an interview with Radio Caraïbes, emphasizing the police’s commitment to responding.
Local media outlets, including Radio Télé Monopole, reported that the attack began before dawn, with assailants targeting the Vigner and Bercy communities. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as residents fled for their lives. The attack has been attributed to a gang known as “Taliban,” which operates out of the Canaan area, north of the capital. The gang reportedly has around 200 members and is responsible for a series of violent actions in the region.
Rising Gang Violence Across Haiti
Gang violence in Haiti, which has largely been concentrated in the capital, Port-au-Prince, is increasingly spreading to outlying areas. Arcahaie, located between the capital and Pont-Sondé, has now become a new flashpoint in this ongoing conflict. Last week, the central town of Pont-Sondé witnessed one of the deadliest massacres in recent years, where the gang “Gran Grif” killed at least 115 people, including women and children, during a pre-dawn attack.
Authorities say the violence in the Artibonite region, particularly around Pont-Sondé, reflects the growing territorial control of gangs, which now dominate about 80% of Port-au-Prince. Despite ongoing efforts to curb the violence, many areas outside the capital, including key transport routes and agricultural regions, have seen a surge in attacks by heavily armed gangs. These developments have raised alarms about the increasing inability of security forces to contain the situation.
The attacks are exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where a combination of political instability, economic collapse, and rampant violence has driven many communities to the brink. Residents of affected areas, such as Arcahaie, often feel abandoned by the government and police forces, further deepening the country’s struggles.
Authorities Struggle to Maintain Control
In response to the escalating violence, the Haitian National Police have attempted to reinforce their presence in the northern and central regions. However, with limited resources and personnel, they are often outgunned by heavily armed gangs. The expansion of gang influence beyond the capital has also led to growing concerns about food insecurity and disruptions to transportation, as key roads are frequently blocked or controlled by criminal groups.
Calls for international assistance and intervention have been growing louder in recent months, with the Haitian government requesting support from the United Nations to help stabilize the country. However, the international response has been slow, and the violence continues to claim more lives.
As of Thursday evening, the situation in Arcahaie remained tense, with local residents fearing more attacks in the coming days. Authorities are working to assess the full extent of the damage and the number of casualties in the latest assault.
